New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-05
WHITNEY AND THE NAVY.
A RECORD OF WASTED OPPORTUNITIES.
WITH MORE MONEY AT HIS DISPOSAL THAN HIS
PRED CEss US, HE ACCO aPIIS iEs LESS
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[Br TELEGRAPH THE TRf1uSzI
WASHINGTON. Sept 4-Ihc views of Secretary Thomp-
son. given In his first report to the President in 1877
strongly In favor OF increasing naval efficiency. but
evidently opposed TO draining tho Treasury oy
building vessels. The Secretary fully realized
the Importance OF placing The American Navy on basis
to the respect OF other naval Powers BUTT was
not until Secretary Hunts accession to office In 1881 that
specific plans formulated and transmitted to Con-
gress urging the building Of vessels OF war; An ad-
vsory board submitted in extsnsoa report as to type
speed and cost OF ships. and recommended
the building OF sxty-eght vessels ct cost
OF S29.6O7.OoO. Congress appreciated tho
wisdom Of the views expressed and by act approved
August 1882. authorized tho building Of two steel
cruisers in accordance with tho boarls plans But
while they this action direct appropriation was
made for carrying the work In fact the Department
did hut little carry design proferring to wait
until moneys specially set apart for tho purpose
~ the next session Of congress legislation was
adopted which provided for the building OF one steel
cruiser OF less than 4300 tons displacement two
steel cruisers OF MOI less than $500 tons dsacemens
and dispatch boat and made the act effective by APP
propriang 81, 800, 900 toward beginning the work.
Secretary Chandler In his report OF 1888 urgently
took the ground that the Government should
build nc least vessels at an expense OF
$4.0o0000 each year for the ensuing ten years. Con-
gress appropriated money to continue tho work on the
four vessels previously authorized Dut mu not eSPJ
with the to increase the number OF ne"
vessels. The following year. 1884. evon after Mr.
Clcveands election, Mr. Chandler renewed his recom-
meniaons OF the previous year, and congress
provided for tho construction Oh TWO cruisers
OF not less than 5000 more than 5000 tons as
plsccmeut costing. exclusive OF armament $l' looooo
each OF QUE heavily armored guuboat OF about looo
tons displacement, TO cost. exclusive OF armament
s52o.o0o; and light Tunooat OF about 300 tons ais
placement to cost. exclusive OF armament S275'ooo
and appropriated toward the work $ls9o'o'o
Mr. Whitney failed to join with his predecessors In
urging the building up OF the navy; nevertheless |oh
ere,s by act approved August 1886. directed the con-
sfririio OF two double bottOmei arnred vessels OF
600 tons displacement 10 cost " oVooJo eaou quo
tnan 5000 tons disp aceiuent, to cost $i.5oJ,oo0;
and one hrstciass torpedo boat 10 cost
s inar 4mp
trrc and Terror expen - VI So l75o4o ana apPIo
ies Sc 500 900 ami 81 towird The armament OF
the vessels authorized March lsso OF the nas' wv
vessels anler ~. ", % M sscrs,arss second
report was ukewarm in its advocacy OF additional
wshrs H. Tue M liter But fortnnst prolific seed mad
been planted by Republican prcdeeessos and the re-
st Ss . ies. SpS Sess ossr
crease 2, tho saw PrS Snsp".ts Of moo
tons Displacement At q cost OF sioUo'oo99
each AMI million n, MILAN nna dollars I %ps appro.
Tor hoatlug batteries $420O0O towarl contln
Ing .tructl0n of vessels previously
g2l2s 49, toward the armament II the vessels ana
Si.oJ0.Oo0 for procuring and testing arlhof ,
and gun steel A recapltulaton shows that
prior 10 MIR. whitney, accession four vessels
were authorized ny art OF ongres to ne 0ult cosInS
SO 30 600 aud appropriate ag roSating Siao'iOo
were maize rs follows: For constructing nuns
50 g2i 500 for macnnery. S52o.oJO; Tor orin me-
$4,000; for eluip ling. S7s6OO; Tor naViSiton OUT
nts $40 30 and FOR engines AMI maohinery OF tho
double tnrru ted iuon'ors. SiO00O0O or TINS amodh
100000 OF the latt r appropriation was oAo"'eN
after the Ali OF March. 1888. . ~, "a,
After Mr. whitney became Secretary OF the navy act.
authorized building OF ten vessels 70 cost
sl95g5 900 aud vessels. tue ionadnocA, ieror'
Amnhitrit aud Puritan. were authorized 10 De con
nleteI AZ "A cost Of s3.I7s0t6. INA ding total OF
sI5773.Oi6 Arpropria ions toward the Work Autnor-
lied have been ale IS follows:
- -. ,oy. sl sos 900 90